Bike Accident Injury Attorneys in Fayetteville, NC

(Editor's note: This is a developing story and will be updated.)

A portion of Rock Fish Road near Jack Britt High School and Waldos Beach Road is closed as fire crews dosed a brushfire Monday afternoon.

The fire was burning through low brush and baby pines in an area located behind and beside Dollar General and the Harmony at Hope Mills assisted living facility on Rockfish Road. The fire was near the Food Lion shopping plaza and east of Jack Britt High School and Traemoor Village Shopping Center.

Kevin Murphy, assistant fire chief for Stoney Point Fire Department, said the area is believed to be a homeless encampment.

“From what we can ascertain, someone was cooking, and the wind took control,” Murphy said.

Crews with Stoney Point Fire Department responded at about 12:30 p.m. and received assistance from the Hope Mills Fire Department, Cotton and Pearce’s Chapel volunteer fire departments, the city of Fayetteville and the forestry service, he said.

Firefighters sprayed the brushfire from trucks and trudged hoses through the smokey ashes; one firefighter was stomping out a small blaze with their boots.

As of 2:15 p.m., Murphy said that the fire was under control, and he expected firefighters to remain on site for the next hour to battle any hotspots that might pop up.

“We were concerned about several homes in the area near Johnson Farm and Camden roads, and the assisted living facility, but fortunately, we got it under control, so it didn’t spread,” he said.

Scores of fires fueled by winds have broken out across the Carolinas in recent days. According to USA Today, an evacuation order remained in place Monday as a 500-acre fire burned in Polk County, about 40 miles from Asheville. An even bigger fire was blazing through 1,600 acres in Carolina Forest, near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Cumberland County is in a moderate drought.

Opinion Editor Myron B. Pitts contributed to this story.

The Crown Event Center construction will be put on pause, Cumberland County Commissioner’s Chairman Kirk deViere announced at a press conference this week.

DeViere said March 5 that the board decided to put a stop on the $145 million project for 30 days to ensure money is spent effectively to benefit the taxpayers funding it.

“We are committing to ensuring that every decision that we make on your behalf, we don’t take those decisions lightly,” deViere said. “They reflect the values of accountability and transparency.”

DeViere said the pause will allow time to bring in an independent group to review the project, check the work done so far, and address any concerns.

Scott Flowers from Hutchens Law Firm will assist in the review and assess where the project stands, provide recommendations and ensure everything meets the board’s standards for transparency and accountability, deViere said.

The Crown Event Center project began in April 2022 with site selection and design, following years of discussion about replacing the aging Crown Theatre and Crown Arena, which are set to close in November due to ADA noncompliance.

The $145 million facility, set to open in spring 2027, will serve as a modern replacement, while the Crown Coliseum, Expo Center and Ballroom will remain open.

During the March 5 meeting, the board also approved the Crown Coliseum restroom project that will be completed by Fayetteville's L & L Drywall and Construction Inc.

The project will cost $835,362 and will modernize the public restrooms to make them ADA-compliant.

Emphasizing oversight and fiscal responsibility

When asked if there were any key issues or concerns with the project that led to this decision, deViere again pointed to the duty to spend taxpayer dollars diligently.

“You have a new board. We just came out of strategic planning,” he said. “We want to make sure that, again, that every tax dollar that is spent is being used efficiently for the benefit of the tax dollars.”

Addressing whether any specific concerns or misconduct prompted the pause, deViere stressed the importance of oversight for the $145 million project.

"We want to ensure that we dot every 'i,' cross every 't,' and have an outside council review every aspect of this project because we owe that to the taxpayers in this community," he said.

While acknowledging that people may look for a "smoking gun," deViere said, “What I'm telling you is that this board feels that we want to have an outside review of the scope of this project at this time.”

While neither confirming nor denying that the pause is due to a specific concern, deViere emphasized that this is the largest project the board has engaged in.

DeViere also didn't deny that the pause could alter the project's timeline or lead to it being canceled completely. He said the board would provide an update when decisions are made.

“If we make those kinds of decisions, I will come back before you in this form, and I'll address that, and I'll answer any questions on maybe why we did that, or why we didn't do that,” he said.

When asked whether the delay of the Crown Event Center would impact plans for the parking deck on Person Street, set to be completed in 2026, deViere acknowledged that the two projects are connected. Since the event center is being built on a former parking area on Gillespie Street, he said parking must be considered as part of the overall plan.

“There’s a timeline for the parking deck, as well, but you have to have a Crown Event Center before you have a parking deck,” deViere said.

For now, the focus remains on completing the 30-day review of the event center. Any necessary adjustments to the parking deck or related projects will be addressed afterward, deViere said.

He made clear that the Crown Theatre and Crown Arena noncompliance with the American Disabilities Act, the food and beverage tax law and the property tax revaluation are not factors in this decision.

Government Watchdog Reporter Claire C. Carter can be reached at [email protected].

The Cape Fear region's first spring storm will arrive midday Wednesday, with potentially damaging wind and a slight chance of isolated tornadoes.

The Storm Prediction Center has placed the entire region, including Fayetteville, under a Level 3 (Enhanced) risk of severe storms through Wednesday afternoon.

The biggest risk will be wind gusts within a narrow band of storms expected to arrive midday. The lower jet stream will be unusually strong for this early in the season, and winds aloft of up to 80 mph are expected. If those winds are able to mix down to the surface during storms, damaging gusts would result.

Here's the setup

The Carolinas are seeing a surge of warm, moist air Tuesday as a warm front passes from the south. Temperatures will climb above 70 degrees in Fayetteville on strong southeasterly winds. This "conveyor belt" of warmth will continue Tuesday night, with lows across the region in the upper 50s.

Wednesday will begin mild, cloudy and windy in Fayetteville as a strong low-pressure system tracks to our north. A trailing cold front will push through the mountains, sweeping across the state through the day.

As of now, it looks like the system will reach the Cape Fear region late morning to early afternoon. Non-storm wind gusts in the late morning should reach 40 mph or so, with temperatures climbing into the low 70s.

A narrow squall line will develop, bringing intense wind and possible hail as it arrives. Depending on the dynamics of the line, isolated fast-moving tornadoes are possible, mainly in the eastern region. The chances are slight, however, given the storm line's likely development.

Instead, wind bursts as the storms tap into the lower jet are more likely. The rain will be brief but heavy.

As the line passes, strong winds will shift to the west as skies clear. Temperatures Wednesday night will drop into the mid-40s.

The rest of the work week will be much calmer but cooler. Highs Thursday will likely hold in the mid-50s, then upper 50s for Friday. Overnight lows Friday will slip into the mid-30s in Fayetteville.

The weekend

There's a slight chance of rain late Saturday into Sunday as a low-pressure system passes to our south. Modeling is split on whether or not it reaches North Carolina at the time. Saturday looks mild and breezy, with a high of about 70, cooling into the upper 50s on Sunday with increased cloud cover.

For now, if you live in Fayetteville, secure anything in your yard that you don't want to have to chase to Linden or Anderson Creek. It's going to get breezy!

Got a weather question? Chick Jacobs can be reached at [email protected] or NCWeatherhound on X/Twitter and BlueSky.

March 20 marked the first day of spring, and warmer temperatures mean it’s the opportune time to get outdoors and camp before summer’s sweltering heat becomes an aversion.

North Carolina is home to numerous state and national campgrounds.

While there is no shortage of spots in the western Carolina Blue Ridge mountains or Outer Banks for those who don’t mind a drive, there are still options for those wanting the fresh air experience without hours of driving.

Here’s a look at what’s 150 miles or less from Fayetteville.

Raven Rock State Park

Raven Rock State Park is about 34 miles from Fayetteville in neighboring Harnett County and features a 150-foot tall natural formation known as Raven Rock that overlooks the Cape Fear River.

The park includes hiking and biking trails with other attractions like Lanier Falls and Fish Trap Rapids.

Camping is available by reservation.

Raven Rock State Park's newest campground includes nine RV sites, 15 drive-to tent sites, six cabins and a bathhouse.

Primitive campsites start at $12, and non-electric campsites are $23. Electric campgrounds are $33.

Lumber River Campground

Lumber River Campground and Trail Ride is family-owned next to the Lumber River in Columbus County. It is about 60 miles from Fayetteville at 416 Williamson Road in Evergreen.

Amenities include Wifi, tent sites, water, electric and sewer hookups, a swimming pool, playground, fishing, boat landing, arena, horse barns and two bathhouses with restrooms and showers.

The cost starts at $20 per person for primitive camping and is $45 to $50 for water, electric and sewer hookup sites.

Online reservations can be made at lumberrivercampground.com/.

Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

Jordan Lake State Recreation Area in Apex is about 66 miles north of Fayetteville at 280 State Park Road. It features camping, boating and swimming.

The park includes more than 1,000 campsites at five access points with tent, trailer and RV options.

Reservations can be made online.

Rates start at $23 for nonelectric sites and $33 for electric sites.

Badin Lake Recreation Area, Uwharrie National Forest

Badin Lake Recreation Area, about 88 miles from Fayetteville, offers swimming, boating, fishing, hunting, and hiking, equestrian, four-wheel drive and mountain biking trails and views of the Uwharrie Mountains.

There are four developed campgrounds for trailers, RVs and 34 sites for tents, with two campgrounds offering showers, electricity and flush toilets.

Rates start at $35, and reservations can be made online at recreation.gov.

Carolina Beach State Park

Carolina Beach Start Park State Park is in New Hanover County about 110 miles southeast of Fayetteville at 1010 State Park Road and is home to the carnivorous Venus flytrap plant.

It is near the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area and the N.C. Aquarium.

The park's marina provides access to the Cape Fear River and the Intracoastal Waterway.

An 83-site family campground provides access to the park’s hiking trails. Visit its secluded fishing spots or enjoy a day at the beach.

Restrooms, showers and electric hookups are available.

Rates start at $23 and can be made online.

Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at [email protected] or 910-486-3528.

Correspondent

Fayetteville seems to have shaken off the wintertime blahs, at least for the time being.

Wednesday's high topped 80 degrees for the first time this year, and we've got a couple more warm days ahead. For those keeping track, 2025 was only the third year in the last decade that Fayetteville didn't hit 80 degrees at least once in February.

Of course, that means the annual onslaught of pollen has been delayed a bit as well. But look for maple, oak and juniper to be assaulting our sinuses in the days to come.

In addition, another strong storm system is expected to reach the Cape Fear region, most likely on Sunday. The Storm Prediction Center has placed the region at a Level 2 risk, primarily for strong winds on Sunday.

Here's the setup

Temperatures across the Carolinas will be a touch cooler today and Friday, thanks to a weak frontal boundary lingering over the region. We'll see highs in the upper 70s with lows in the low 50s.

The weekend

If you have any outdoor plans, it's best to make them for Saturday. Sunday looks rough, with strong winds and showers likely.

Saturday will be partly cloudy and breezy with some stout southerly winds. Temperatures will climb back to near 80, and there's a slight chance of isolated light showers across the region. Lows will hold in the mid-60s.

Sunday has the makings of a rough day. An impressively strong low-pressure system will slide east from the Midwest toward Canada during the day, pulling a potent frontal boundary over the Carolinas. The anticipated dynamics of this system will bring potent winds from the lower jet stream very close to the surface. Any storms that tap into this jet will be capable of producing damaging winds.

The timing and speed of this system aren't certain yet. A faster system reduces the amount of rain, and daytime temperatures could vary, as well. Right now, it looks like highs will reach the low to mid-70s, with wind gusts up to 40 mph likely.

Next week

Things settle down overnight, leaving the Cape Fear region calmer and cooler to start the work week. Fayetteville may see some lingering showers, with a high of about 65 on Monday. The region will be climbing back into the 70s on Tuesday and near 80 Wednesday, ahead of another potential system later in the week.

Lows stay well above freezing, so maybe — just maybe — it's safe to plant the garden.

Keep an umbrella handy Sunday, and have a great weekend!

Got a weather question? Chick Jacobs can be reached at [email protected] of NCWeatherhound on X/Twitter or BlueSky.